This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The American Health Care Act would make it harder for millions of people to afford health coverage. The bill would mean up to 15 million could lose their coverage.
Many who retain coverage would have weaker protections, higher costs and worse coverage.
It would roll back the Medicaid expansion and cap federal Medicaid funding, virtually ensuring the patients who need it most would have reduced access to lifesaving coverage and benefits. The bill would put preventive care at risk by eliminating both the Public Health and Prevention Fund and federal funding for services provided by Planned Parenthood health centers.
And this bill would hurt seniors and people who are sick the most, which is unacceptable.
Doctors are caring for millions of patients with diabetes, addiction, heart disease and cancer who cannot afford to have their care disrupted. We want our patients and communities to be able to get the health care they need. Any bill must move toward making equitable, affordable, high-quality health care a basic right for everyone, no matter what your age, income or health status. The House plan falls far short of this goal and puts the coverage of millions of patients at risk.
We urge Reps. Mia Love, Rob Bishop, Jason Chaffetz and Chris Stewart to oppose this bill.
Michael Kalm
Millcreek